Henson hopes for a shot
By Bob Buttitta, bbuttitta@VenturaCountyStar.com
August 5, 2006
After spending most of his first two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys holding a clipboard, quarterback Drew Henson finally got a chance to get back under center this offseason by accepting an invitation to play a season in the NFL Europe league.
The former Michigan star spent most of this spring as the starting quarterback for the Rhein Fire. And despite suffering a slight knee injury in Week 7, Henson turned in a solid season for the Fire. He was the league's second-rated quarterback with an 84.2 rating, and was also second in the league in completions (109), yards (1,321) and touchdowns (10).
Perhaps more important, Henson threw just three interceptions, displaying the kind smart decision-making with the ball that Dallas head coach Bill Parcells has been hoping to see during his time with the Cowboys.
Henson said getting a chance to get on the field for an extended period of time was a huge help to his development.
"Every snap is another snap experience and doing that for three months is a big plus for me. It allowed me to gain valuable reps in the same type of passing offense that we have here.
"The most important thing was the game situations. You can't simulate game situations. I think I improved on the little things you overlook � like game management, finding a tempo, being more efficient on third down and in the red zone. You can't script that in practice."
As he goes through his third training camp, Henson is optimistic that his European experience will pay dividends this season. Having been in the same system for three seasons, Henson said he's much more at ease.
"Early on in camp I feel more comfortable than I have in the past," Henson said. "I feel more comfortable with the concepts and reads and what we are trying to do. I feel like I am playing faster and with more confidence. When you are new to an offense, you are trying to get the basic reads down and those things.
"As you progress, you are able to anticipate more and see coverages (the defense might use) pre-snap and have an idea of where the ball may go before you see the defense. Those things allow you to play faster and be more decisive."
Henson has gained that comfort despite receiving fewer reps throughout the early part of training camp.
Through much of the first week, Henson shared his reps with rookie Jeff Mroz, but rather than sulk or complain about the situation, Henson is choosing to simply go with the flow.
"Things you can't control you don't worry about," Henson said. "I am trying to make the most of the reps I get in practice. I'm just trying to keep improving while working toward that first game in Seattle and making sure I am ready to play. When I am in the huddle, I do my best."
Parcells has said this is a key summer for Tony Romo, the team's other backup quarterback. Parcells said he plans to give Romo a long look this preseason, but has made no such guarantee with Henson.
While it's not the plan, Henson said his goal is to force his way into the competition and make the coaches take notice.
"You want to show the coaches you can do the things they ask," Henson said. "You want to force them to make the make decisions."
Unfortunately for Henson, up to this point, he hasn't been able to impress Parcells or show him the kind of improvement the veteran coach is looking for in his young signal-caller.
When asked after a mini-camp whether he noticed an improvement in Henson after his time in Europe, the coach was not overjoyed.
"The experience was good for him, and playing in games was good, but I was for a little more (improvement), to tell you the truth."
When asked Friday what he needed to do to force his way into the mix, Parcells made it simple � play better.
"I'll keep working and trying to get better," Henson said. "That's all I can do."
August 5, 2006
After spending most of his first two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys holding a clipboard, quarterback Drew Henson finally got a chance to get back under center this offseason by accepting an invitation to play a season in the NFL Europe league.
The former Michigan star spent most of this spring as the starting quarterback for the Rhein Fire. And despite suffering a slight knee injury in Week 7, Henson turned in a solid season for the Fire. He was the league's second-rated quarterback with an 84.2 rating, and was also second in the league in completions (109), yards (1,321) and touchdowns (10).
Perhaps more important, Henson threw just three interceptions, displaying the kind smart decision-making with the ball that Dallas head coach Bill Parcells has been hoping to see during his time with the Cowboys.
Henson said getting a chance to get on the field for an extended period of time was a huge help to his development.
"Every snap is another snap experience and doing that for three months is a big plus for me. It allowed me to gain valuable reps in the same type of passing offense that we have here.
"The most important thing was the game situations. You can't simulate game situations. I think I improved on the little things you overlook � like game management, finding a tempo, being more efficient on third down and in the red zone. You can't script that in practice."
As he goes through his third training camp, Henson is optimistic that his European experience will pay dividends this season. Having been in the same system for three seasons, Henson said he's much more at ease.
"Early on in camp I feel more comfortable than I have in the past," Henson said. "I feel more comfortable with the concepts and reads and what we are trying to do. I feel like I am playing faster and with more confidence. When you are new to an offense, you are trying to get the basic reads down and those things.
"As you progress, you are able to anticipate more and see coverages (the defense might use) pre-snap and have an idea of where the ball may go before you see the defense. Those things allow you to play faster and be more decisive."
Henson has gained that comfort despite receiving fewer reps throughout the early part of training camp.
Through much of the first week, Henson shared his reps with rookie Jeff Mroz, but rather than sulk or complain about the situation, Henson is choosing to simply go with the flow.
"Things you can't control you don't worry about," Henson said. "I am trying to make the most of the reps I get in practice. I'm just trying to keep improving while working toward that first game in Seattle and making sure I am ready to play. When I am in the huddle, I do my best."
Parcells has said this is a key summer for Tony Romo, the team's other backup quarterback. Parcells said he plans to give Romo a long look this preseason, but has made no such guarantee with Henson.
While it's not the plan, Henson said his goal is to force his way into the competition and make the coaches take notice.
"You want to show the coaches you can do the things they ask," Henson said. "You want to force them to make the make decisions."
Unfortunately for Henson, up to this point, he hasn't been able to impress Parcells or show him the kind of improvement the veteran coach is looking for in his young signal-caller.
When asked after a mini-camp whether he noticed an improvement in Henson after his time in Europe, the coach was not overjoyed.
"The experience was good for him, and playing in games was good, but I was for a little more (improvement), to tell you the truth."
When asked Friday what he needed to do to force his way into the mix, Parcells made it simple � play better.
"I'll keep working and trying to get better," Henson said. "That's all I can do."
posted by The Gryphon at 12:30 PM
<< Home